Spring-wheel.



T. W* GRATZ, JE.

SPRING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILEDKJAN. 23, 1997.

yPatented Junil 1, 1909.

Z SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INI/ENTOR T. w. GRATZ, JB. SPRING WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 23, 1907.

Patented June 1,1909n 2 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

i [NVE/WOR UNirnn STATES PATENT onirica.

IHEODORE W. GRATZ, JR., F OLEAN, NEW YORK.

SPRING-WHEEL.

ticularly contemp ates a wheel which mechanical elements are,I relied upon for the pu ose of cushioning and absorbing vibratory ls iiocks.

In connection with a wheel of the above type, the invention aims asa primary object to provide novel means for reducing the wear upon the tire and for adding tothe general ilexibility thereof durin0F the cushioning operationv of the structural elements.

The invention aims as afurther object to provide novel means for cushioning the shock absorbin means in their reactionary movements am? for taking up the slack and back lash or play of such means.

The tire is accordingly constructed inaccordance with wellknown physical princiy ulpon thecomponent part of the ples and to this'end comprises an outer rimy which is yieldably suspended from the inner rim embodied in the construction of the wheel proper. yThe suspension means above referredt'o comprises twosets of independent springs, the one set serving as primary cushioning springsto absorb the shocks of the direct orreactionary movements of the outer rim, and the other set serving as cushioning springs to absorb the reactionary vibrations of said primary springs and to relieve the same of an lar strainy or of undue vibration in the incielntal transmission of power and including positive connections between the rims, with which both sets'lof s rin s co-act. Means are further provided or ei ecting a sealed joint between the outer and inner rims in theirl spaced relation to prevent the deleterious action of the dust and elements Wheel inosed between the rims. y The' invention finally aims .to rovide a wheel of the above type in whic the elements may be readil assembled, which sha1 be simple in construction, comparatively ineX ensive to manufacture and'practical and e cient in use.

The detailed construction will appear in p Specification of Letters Patent.

. Application filed January 23, 1907.

. the course of the following in whichv pneumatic elements are eliminated and in assembled and dis-V Patented June 1, 1909. serial No. 353,704.

description in which reference is had tothe accompanying drawings formin a part of this specification, like characters o reference designating similar parts throughout the several views, wherein,

Figure 1 isa central longitudinal section partly in side elevation of a wheel constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a centraltransverse section thereof, the Wheelbeing shown as an entirety, with parts in elevation. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary central' longitudinal section somewhat similar to Fig. l, with parts in elevation. Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse section on the line. 4--4 of Fig. 1, certain parts vbeing removed for clearness. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the inner rim and the elements carried thereby, the outer rim and the tire and parts of the interior construction being removed, for clearness, and Fig. 6is a detail perspective view of one of the spring-holdingclips.

In the practical embodiment of my invention I employ a wheel A of conventional form embodying a' hub a, spokes b and a rim 1 of novel and peculiar construction and forming a component part of the present invention. The rim 1 constitutes the inner metallic rim of the tire and has connection with the various other constituent elements embodied in the constructionof the wheel. To this end said rim is formed with semispherical concaved depressions 2 which are arranged in courses about the periphery of the rim, t e depressions 2 of one course being disposed in staggered relation to the depressions of the other course. y The recesses 2 serve as seats or sockets for spheroidval segments 3, whichcarry clips 4, preferably in the form of a rectangular sleeve.

The rim 1 has its side portions 5 extended outwardly in parallel relation and co-acting with the tire to form a hood for the parts inclosed'therein. .An outer :rim 6 is arranged in exterior concentric relation to the rim 1 and is received between the side portions 5. The rim 6 is preferably made uarto annular sections 7, in'order to ermit t e ready assemblage of the parts. T e sections 7 at their fronting fla nected by bo t'n and nut fastenings 9, as will be readily apparent-from Fig. 1. Adjacent their side edges theouter rim sections 7 carry cio-extensive clamping sections or members in semi orl 10, which are fixed tolsaid respective sections shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The sides 16' of said tire overlic the sides 5 of the rim 1 and are secured thereto by fastening screws or other suitable means 17.. It Will thus be seen that the rim 1 and the tire 14 in their assembled relation constitute a sealed hood for the elements inelosed therein, for the purposes previo'usly set forth.

'The rim 6 carries at equi-distant points corresponding With the determinate disposition of the depressions 2 in their staggered relation, depending clips 18 fixed by securing bolts 19. lhe clips 18 are provided with flanges 20 extending in parallel pairs on each side thereof for a purpose to be described. As above stated the ball segments 3 carry clips 4. These clips surround at a central oint thereon superimposed leaf springs 21 which will of course, correspond as individual sets, in number and arrangement to the depressions 2 and the elements seated therein. The springs 21 are similarly arranged to the conventional carriage springs and have their free ends. bent annularly upon themselves as at 22. These roundedends 22 are adapted to bear in conformable depi'essions 23 illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 5 and arranged in the transverse bar 24 of a centrally located clip 25. The latter engages 'at a central point imposed leaf springs 26 which at their ends bear against recessed abutments 27 provided therefor on the clip 18.

The springs 21 constitute the `primary shock absorbing means above referred to and the springs 26 constitute the means for cushioning the reactionary movement of the springs 21. It Will be noted that the ball and socket joint formed by the depressions2 and the interfitting segments 3, and the pivotal joint provided at the ends of the s rings 21 by reason of the recesses 23 and the interfitting rounded ends 22 constitute double compensating pivotal connections whereby the parts thus articulated may yield freely in a ny direction upon the slightest movement of the outer rim 6 with relation to the inner rim, and it will' be appreciated that the resiliency of the various springs embodied in the connections betvveen the rims will absorb and cushion all direct and reactionary inovenientsof the outer rim in its yielding action.

A tire constructed in accordance with this invention will thus serve as asecondary suspension, as it were, for heavy vehicles designed for travel on rough roads, especial referencebeing had to touring cars.

While the elements hereinishown and described are well adapted to serve the func'- tions set forth, it is obvious that various minoi' changes may be made. in the proportions, shape and arrangement of tl e several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined iu thev ap ended claiins.

"laving fully described my invention l claim:

1. A wheel ofthe type set forth com prising an inner fixed rini having outstanding sides, an outer rim operating within said sides, a tire spanning the outer edges ol' said sides and connected thereto and provided with a central longitudinal enlargement upon its inner face, curved flanges carried by said outer rini and engaging said eiilargenient, and resilient connections between said riins, said connections being pivotally engaged with each of said rims, substantially as described.

2. Awheel of the type set forth, comprising an inner fixed rim having outstanding sides, an outer rim operating within said sides, a tire spanning' the outer edges of said sides and connected thereto and provided with a central longitudinal enlargement upon its inner face, curved flanges carried by said outer i'iuiand engaging said enlargement,

and resilient connections between said rims including means for compensating for the direct and reactionary nioveiiients of said outer rim, and means for compensating for the direct and reactionary movements ol said first named means, substantially as described.

3. A Wheel of the type set forth, comprising an inner fixed rim having outstanding sides, an outer rim operating within said sides, a tire spanning the outer edges of said sides and connected thereto and4 provided with a central longitudinal enlargement upon its inner face, curved flanges carried vby said outer iini and engaging said enlargement, cushioning springs4 interposed between said rims and having pivotal engagement with said inner rims, clips pivotally engaged with the ends of said cushioning spi'ings,aiid cushioning springs interposed between said clips and adjacent stationary parts of said outer rim, substantially as described.

4. A Wheel of the type set forth, comprising an inner fixed rim having outstanding sides. an outer i'im operating within said sides and comprising curved connected sections, a tire spanning the outer edges of said sides, and connected thereto and provided with a central longitudinal enlargement upon its inner face curved flanges carried by said outer rini and engaging said enlargement, and resilient connections between said rims, said connections being iivotally engaged with each of said rims, substantially as deserilu-d.

5. A wheel of the type si? l'orl h, comprising an inner fixed rim having outstaiulng sides,

an outer rim operating Within said sides, a

tire spanning said sides and connected there.

to, connections between said tire and said outer rim, 4Aclips extending inwardly from'- said outer rim and centrally slotted at the sides thereof to form spaced anges, elliptical springs centrally and pivotally connected to said inner rim and having their yends eX- tending against said outer rim, and similarlv shaped springs having their ends arranged between said anges 0i said clips and against which the lends of said first named springs abut, substantially as described.

6. A wheel of the type set forth, comprising an inner fixed rim ccinprlsing curved connected sections a tire spannmgsald sides and connected thereto,

mim, clips extendin i having ontstanding sides, an Outer Ilm Operating .avlthin said sides and- `connections between said tire and said outer inwardly from said outer rim and centrally s otted at the sides 'thereof to form spaced Ranges, elliptical springs centrally and pivotally connected to said inner rim and having; their ends extending" against said enter rim, and similarly shaped springs` THEODORE W. GRATZ, Je.

Witnesses:

GEO. M. LUNDY, GEO. E. GUAY.

named springs abut, sub- 

